A Motif In Philip Roth’s Later Works

The thesis studies three later works of Philip Roth:The Dying Animal, Everyone, Exit Ghost, focusing on the theme of death.The first chapter introduces the theme of death in the western literature and its aesthetic function, discussing how Roth pays attention to death in his works.The second chapter analyzes the attitude of the characters in Roth’s works—they fear death, escape death, or resist death. Finally they find it so inevitable that they can do nothing but accept it.The third chapter discusses the return of the soul of these characters when they confront the reality of death—they look back at their sinful life and find real ego disguised under their desire. They seek after salvation for their life and make criticisms to the society and modern civilization, refilling life with meanings from inner experience.The fourth chapter studies the Jewish thanatopsis. Corresponding with Roth’s perception of death, it shows a modern aspect compared with Christian thanatopsis. It is necessary to study the Jewishness of the Jewish writer, and Roth’s attention on death reveals his transcendence of cognizing Jewishness and his reflection of the dilemma in modern life.Philip Roth used to impress readers with an image of rebelling Jewish tradition; in fact however, he follows the tradition to a large extent. In the later works which enveloped by death, he review the life, recall the tradition, and wish to rescue the modern individuals from living dilemma.